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Presidential candidates should address Senior issues, South Carolina Lt. Gov. says

Sep 14, 2007--South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (R) on Tuesday in a speech to the state's Silver-Haired Legislature said that presidential candidates need to address issues for senior citizens, the AP/Aiken Standard reports.

The group comprises about 100 delegates that represent voters older than age 60. Bauer said that people ages 65 and older accounted for more than 30% of primary votes cast last year in the state and that neither of the parties are addressing issues that affect the group.

He added that presidential hopefuls should address, without increasing taxes, the financial strain on families caused by Alzheimer's disease, funding for Medicaid and Medicare, and increasing the number of geriatric doctors.

He said that the government currently lacks the leadership, innovation and will needed to get these tasks accomplished.

"What is it that is holding our would-be presidents back from actively engaging seniors' issues?" Bauer asked, adding, "What better place than here and what better time than now?" Delegate Jean Bridges said she wants to see better health care, affordable medication and improved transportation for seniors. Delegate Janet Agnew added that "[s]omething has to be done to assist the caregivers" (Adcox, AP/Aiken Standard, 9/12).